The Ottawa Senators come off a momentum building 6-4 win at
Washington last night. The 6-goals scored tied their season high which they
previously accomplished at Detroit on October 23rd. Offense hasn’t
been an issue this season for the Senators. Their defensive play and
goaltending has been, especially of late. They’ve allowed 30-goals over their
last 8-games. In addition they’re 25th in the NHL allowing 3.1 goals
per game, and 28th in the league in shots allowed on goal per game
at 35.7. The Senators have gone over the total in 4 of their last 5-games with
an averaged combined 7.0 goals per game scored. Their #1 goaltender Craig
Anderson has really struggled after enjoying a career year a season ago. In 15
starts Anderson has a lofty 3.36 GAA and a below average .899 save percentage.
He’s allowed 4-goals or more in 6 of his last 8 starts.

The Funk that won’t End

The Vancouver Canucks enter tonight having lost 7 of their last
8-games. They just completed a 6-game home stand that saw them go a dismal 1-5.
In their defense, 3 of those 5-losses came in overtime, but it was of little
solace to players, coaches, and the fan base. The Canucks power play has been
inexplicably terrible this season ranking 28th in the NHL, and
converting on just 11.6% of their opportunities. On a more positive not their
penalty killing is #1 in the league with an excellent 89.5% efficiency rate.
This will be the first of a 4-game in 6-day road trip for Vancouver. The
Canucks have actually been better on the road (7-6) than at home (7-8).

Any road team that’s -100 to -150 on the money line, and is coming
off two or more losses in a row, they have a money line winning percentage of
.400 to .490, versus an opponent that has a money line winning percentage of
.250 to .400 is 31-9 (77.5%) since the beginning of the 1996-1997 season. Take the OVER for your NHL picks.